Apparatus for treating a web material



June 6, 1967 R. H. MARKS ET AL APPARATUS FOR TREATING A WEB MATERIAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 9, 1963 Nm w m V...@... R Tm \w QM June 6, 1967 R. H. MARKS E AL APPARATUS FOR TREATING A WEB MATERIAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 1963 3000/0 Mar/4s Roy /7. M///ar0 INVENTOJ B Z W ATTORA/EVJ June 6, 1967 R. H. MARKS ET AL 3,323,298

APPARATUS FOR TREATING A WEB MATERIAL Filed Sept. 9, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet a ATTOR/VEVJ June 6, 1967 Filed Sept.

R. H. MARKS ET AL APPARATUS FOR TREATING A WEB MATERIAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fond/0 Mar/4.: Pay /7 M///0/ 0 wi /W d .0 g

ATTOR/VE VJ United States Patent New Jersey Filed Sept. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 307,551 3 Claims. (31. 57-32) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for treating web sheet material in a continuous manner and for forming yarn from a continuous Web or sheet material. More particularly, it relates to such an apparatus including applying a treating or coloring fluid to a continuous web of material, such as paper, as it unwinds from a roll. This invention represents an improvement over the methods and apparatus disclosed in United States Letters Patent 2,955,408, 3,010,181 and 3,077,723.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide an apparatus for treating a continuous web of material as it is unwound from a roll to thereby eliminate the difiiculties encountered in attempting to print or coat the roll directly in view of the inconsistencies in the contour of various rolls.

An important object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for treating a continuous web of material after it has been unwound from a roll wherein adjustable means are provided at or before the point where the sheet enters the treating means to compensate for varying tension in the sheet or a lack of uniform tension across such web before the web is treated.

A further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable means which will permit a uniform pull to be placed on the web at or "before the point of entry into the treating mean-s whereby wrinkling or the like due to uneven tension across the web is eliminated.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for treating a continuous web which utilizes rollers that are adjustably mounted with respect to the sheet whereby varying tension across the web may be compensated for at or before the point wherein the sheet contacts the treating means.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for treating a continuous web of material from a roll with a treating means which utilizes at least one adjustably mounted roller over which the web passes disposed between the roll and the treating means which adjustment includes the shifting of one end of the roller whereby the relationship between the longitudinal axis of the roller and the longitudinal axis of the web is altered.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for treating a continuous web of material of the character described wherein the treating or coating rollers are mounted on a carriage by an adjustable thread means whereby one end of the roller may be shifted or adjusted relative to the axis of the sheet to thereby compensate for uneven tension in the sheet and eliminate any wrinkling or the like and provide for uniformity of treating of the sheet.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

This invention will be readily understood from a reading of the following detailed description and reference to the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial isometric illustration of the apparatus schematically illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic illustration of the normal relationship between a typical roller and the web material when such material is evenly tensioned;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic illustration of the relationship between a typical roller and the web material when said roller is adjusted to compensate for an uneven ten sion transversely across said web; and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic illustration similar to FIG- URE 6 but illustrating the position of a typical roller relative to the web under different circumstances of uneven tension in the web material.

FIGURE 8 is a schematic illustration of a typical roller and a free rolling rod supported on the web material to assist in developing a uniform tension in the Web material.

In the context of this specification the terms Web and web material are used in the sense that the sheet or strip of material which is to be treated in accordance with the method and by the apparatus of the present invention has a substantial width but is not to be understood to be used in the sense that it is a woven material. Sufficient width of material is required so that the material can be divided into a plurality of strips which are then treated and twisted into a yarn.

In the drawings, the numeral 11 designates a roll of web rnaterial, such as paper, which is rotatably mounted on a suitable frame 12 by means of journal 13 at each end of roll 11. In making or forming paper yarn and knitted material according to US. Patents 2,955,408 and 3,010,181, web 14 first passe-s through cutter 15 or other suitable slitting means which slits web 14 into a plurality of strips 16, one of which is schematically illustrated in FIGURE 1. Comb 17 is positioned to receive strips 16 from cutter 15 and separates strips 16 for delivery to moistener 18. Strips from moistener 18 are conducted to twisting and spindling means 19 wherein the twisted strips are wound around spindle 20. Motor 21 is connected to spindle 20' by belt 22.

In accordance with U8. Patent 3,077,723, tension adjusting means 23 may be provided to cooperate with brake 11a on roll 11 to adjust and regulate the pull applied to web 14 as it passes through the yarn forming apparatus. The tension adjuster is preferably disposed between roll 11 and cutter .15 and includes a plurality of rolls 24 which are rotated through a suitable driving means as shown in FIGURE 2. It is often desirable to provide a single driving means for tension adjusting means 23 and cutter 15'.

In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a treating means 25 located to contact web 14 after it has been unwound from roll 11 and before it passes through cutter 15. Tank 26 is maintained partially full of the liquid which is to be applied to web- 14. Reservoir 26a is provided to maintain the desired liquid level in tank 26. This liquid may be any liquid which is to be applied to web 14 such as material conditioners, sizing and others but a particular dramatic use is in the application of color to web 14. For the purposes of clarity herein such treating will be referred to in regarding coloring applications, it being understood that any other type of treating may be used within the scope of the present invention.

Coloring of web 14 is best accomplished when the ten sion throughout the web is uniform and at all times controlled. Any variation in tension across web 14 will cause a variation of color applied to web 14 since the greater the tension the less color will be absorbed. Therefore, the

application of a color dye to a web material may be controlled by maintaining the desired uniform tension in web 14. Also, with the present invention the tension may be varied to either lighten or darken the resulting color of web 14 by increasing or decreasing the tension in web 14.

As shown in FIGURE 1 web 14 as it unwinds from roll 11 passes down over roller 27 which is mounted on legs 28 of frame 12 by suitable supports 29. Supports 29 are bolted through vertical slots 30 in legs 28 to allow a vertical adjustment of the axis of roller 27. Web 14 passes around roller 27 and under roller 31 which is mounted on base 32 of frame 12 by supports 33. Base 32 is provided with horizontally extending slots 34 to allow the axis of rotation of roller 31 to be canted with respect to its normal position in relation to the longitudinal axis of web 14 as shown in FIGURE 5. Web 14 moves from roller 31 to roller 35 which is supported by supports 36. Supports 36 are adjustable vertically as shown and are connected into horizontally extending slots 37 in frame 33 to provide a horizontal adjustment of the axis of roller 35. Web 14 moves from roller 35 to coloring roll 39 which is supported within tank 26 as hereinafter more fully described in reference to FIGURES 3 and 4. Rod 40 is a metal rod having a round cross section and is substantially the same length as the width of web 14 or slightly longer. It is positioned on web 14 as best shown in FIGURE 8 and is unrestrained so that it can roll on web 14. The weight of rod 40 will be sutficient to provide an adjustment of tension across web 14 and being round it will roll with the movement of web 14. It is preferred that web 14 between roller 35 and coloring roll 39 slope slightly upward at all times so that rod 49 will be positioned near roller 35. The structure of frame 12 is positioned as shown in FIGURE 8 at each side of rod 40 and will serve to prevent rod 40 from rolling off of web 14. Web 14 passes from coloring roll 39 around roller 41 which is supported by supports 42. Supports 42 are secured in vertical slots 43 in frame 12 to allow a vertical adjustment of the axis of roller 41. Web 14 leaving roller 41 passes upward near lamps 44 to tension adjusting means 23. Lamps 44 are provided to dry the coloring or other treating liquid which has been applied to web 14 by coloring roll 39. Any other suitable drying means may be used to dry the coloring applied to web 14-.

When it is desired that something other than a complete coloring of web 14 be provided printing roll 45 (shown in dashed lines in FIGURE 1) is provided. Printing roll 45 can be of such a configuration to print stripes on web 14 either longitudinally or across web 14 or any other desired coloring pattern. When printing roll 45 is being used then roll 39 will be used as a pick-up roll and will transfer the treating liquid to printing roll 45.

Treating means 25 is provided with adjusting means 46 providing an additional adjustment of the tension in web 14. Referring to FIGURES 3 and 4, treating means 25 includes printing roll 45 and coloring roll 39 which are mounted in vertical alignment with respect to each other. Coloring roll 39 is at least partially submerged in solution 47 which is contained within tank 26 and which is to be applied to web 14.

The ends of rolls 39 and 45 are rotatably mounted in journals 48 and 49 which are secured to bases 59 and 51, respectively. Bolt 52 extends from base 59 into plate 53 and bolt 54 extends from base 51 into plate 55. The holes in plates 53 and 55 should be larger than bolts 52 and 54 for the reasons hereinafter set forth. Each of plates 53 and 55 is provided with depending lugs 56 which engage guide rods 57 secured in brackets 58 on frame 38. There are preferably four lugs 56 for each of plates 53 and 55, one at or near each corner, so that the plate is adequately supported on guide rods 57. Each of plates 53 and 55 is provided with threaded depending lugs 59 and 60 which engage screws 61 and 62 respectively. Screws 61 and 62 are mounted in one bracket 58 as, best shown in FIGURE 4 with suitable collars to prevent longitudinal movement.

Handles 63 and 64 are secured to screws 61 and 62 respectively to facilitate the turning of screws 61 and 62. It is thus apparent that whenever screw 61 is rotated that plate 53 will be moved horizontally thereby moving journal 48 and when screw 62 is rotated plate 55 will be moved horizontally thereby moving journal 49. Such movement may be coordinated to move treating means 25 toward or away from web 14 and also may be reversed to change the relationship of the axis of rolls 39 and 45 with respect to web 14. This change of angle will of necessity be small since the shifting of journals 48 and 49 will be limited by the engagement of bolts 52 and 54 into plates 53 and 55. The enlargement of the hole in plates 53 and 55 receiving bolts 52 and 54 will determine the extent of this change of angle. Tank 26 is also supported on plates 53 and 55.

As shown in FIGURE 3 roll 39 extends past journal 49 and is provided with sheave 65. Sheave 65 and consequently roll 39 are driven by motor 66 through belt drive 67 as best shown in FIGURE 2. It is preferred that roll 39 be driven by motor 66, a variable, reversible motor, but any other suitable driving means may be used provided it will provide the desired speeds and will reverse. Reversal of motor 66 is required since roll 39 will be required to rotate in a clockwise direction as shown by the dotted arrow in FIGURE 1 when roll 45 is applying color to web 14. This is to cause the periphery of the roll applying color to web 14 to be moving in the same direction as web 14 at the point of contact. It has been found that a very limited area of contact is needed between roll 39 and web 14. It is preferred that such area of contact be defined on the surface of roll 39 extending transversely of web 14 and for approximately three-fourths of an inch longitudinally of web 14.

Journals 48 and 49 are positioned in frames 68 and 69 respectively. Tie rod 70 extends from the upper portion of frame 68 to the upper portion of frame 69. Screws 71 and springs 72 cooperate to hold rolls 45 and 39 in place and will exert a sufiicient downward force to provide the proper contact between roll 45 and roll 39 when roll 45 is printing on web 14.

In FIGURE 5, roller 73 is representative of rollers 27, 31, 35, 41 and to a limited extent to rolls 39 and 45. Roller 73 is shown as having its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular and transverse to the longitudinal axis of web 14. When the longitudinal tension in web 14 is uniform throughout its width then there will be little or no wrinkling of web 14 and roller 73 will be in the position in relation to web 14 as shown in FIGURE 5- However, if the longitudinal tension in web 14 varies or becomes unequal across its width then web 14 will wrinkle in the area immediately preceding its contact with roller 73. FIGURES 6 and 7 show roller 73 adjusted with respect to web 14 so that its longitudinal axis is no longer perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of web 14. This adjustment, which is accomplished through the adjusting means described above, permits the passage of web 14 in contact with roller 73 without any wrinkling of web 14 and will restore an equal longitudinal tension transversely of web 14.

Referring again to FIGURE 1 when web 14 has been placed in position it will be pulled from roll 11 by the rotation of rolls 23 in tension adjusting means 23. Brake 11a may be adjusted to provide the desired longitudinal tension in web 14. With rollers 27, 31, 35 and 41 properly positioned, with treating means 25 properly positioned and with rod 40 support on web 14 between roller 35 and roll 39, web 14 will move under uniform tension through the apparatus of the present invention and will be colored, dried, slit, treated and twisted into a colored yarn on spindle 20.

When it is desired to print on web 14 rather than to completely color web 14, printing roll 45 will be mounted in journals 48 and 49 as previously described and then the configuration outstanding on the surface of roll 45 will receive color from roll 39 which will be transferred by contact to Web 14. For such printing rollers 35 and 41 should be positioned as shown in dashed lines in FIGURE 1 to maintain a proper position of rod 40 with respect to web 14 and to have web 14 properly contact printing roll 45. Also, for printing with printing roll 45 the direction of rotation of motor 66 must be reversed since the contact between rolls 39 and 45 will cause roll 45 to rotate in the opposite direction from roll 39. With the reversal of motor 66 roll 45 will be turning so that at the point of contact with web 14 roll 45 will be moving in the same direction as web 14.

It is thus apparent that there is provided a method and apparatus for treating a web of material as it is unwound from a roll wherein the treating apparatus may be adjusted to compensate for an uneven tensioning of the web material as it unwinds from the roll. It is also noted that the treating is accomplished first after the web is unwound from the roll and before the web is cut into various strips which are subsequently formed into yarn. This arrangement and step permits treating or printing of a single, comparatively wide web rather than the printing of a large number of individual strips formed after the web has been cut.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated instructions, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for producing a paper yarn from a roll of paper comprising means rotatably supporting a roll of paper,

means unwinding said paper from said roll and moving said paper through said apparatus,

means slitting said paper into strips,

means forming said paper strips into yarn,

means applying a treating liquid to said paper at a point between said roll and said slitting means,

a plurality of rollers over which said paper is guided before contact with said treating liquid app-lying means,

each of said plurality of rollers being adjustable to change the angle between the longitudinal axis of the roller in relation to the longitudinal axis of the paper to provide uniform longitudinal tension across said paper at the point of contact with said treating liquid applying means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said treating liquid is a liquid adapted to color said paper whereby the paper yarn produced is colored.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 including a free rolling rod positioned transversely on said paper at a point immediately ahead of said treating liquid applying means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 624,884 5/ 1899 Welsh 26-63 X 1,326,057 12/1919 Huber 2651.3 2,396,946 3/1946 Grupe 118-46 X 2,646,770 7/ 1953 Kemp 118-33 2,682,094 6/1954 Wood 26-51.4 2,713,191 7/1955 Broomfield 2r651.3 3,012,393 12/1961 Shuttleworth et al 5732 3,077,723 2/1963 Marks et a1. 5732 3,078,822 2/1963 Carter 11833 3,082,735 3/1963 Vaccaro 11833 3,126,698 3/ 1964 Scharf 57144 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PAPER YARN FROM A ROLL OF PAPER COMPRISING MEANS FOR ROTATABLY SUPPORTING A ROLL OF PAPER, MEANS UNWINDING SAID PAPER FROM SAID ROLL AND MOVING SAID PAPER THROUGH SAID APPARATUS, MEANS SLITTING SAID PAPER INTO STRIPS, MEANS FORMING SAID PAPER STRIPS INTO YARN, MEANS APPLYING A TREATING LIQUID TO SAID PAPER AT A POINT BETWEEN SAID ROLL AND SAID SLITTING MEANS, A PLURALITY OF ROLLERS OVER WHICH SAID PAPER IS GUIDED BEFORE CONTACT WITH SAID TREATING LIQUID APPLYING MEANS, EACH OF SAID PLURALITY OF ROLLERS BEING ADJUSTABLE TO CHANGE THE ANGLE BETWEEN THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE ROLLER IN RELATION TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE PAPER TO PROVIDE UNIFORM LONGITUDINAL TENSION ACROSS SAID PAPER AT THE POINT OF CONTACT WITH SAID TREATING LIQUID APPLYING MEANS. 